Shortly after Mark befriended Derrick Carter in 1988 at a record store in Chicago, his passion for House music, and sharing it with the world, exploded. Mark experimented with a deeper style, dropping De La Soul, disco classics and other stuff that wasn’t being played in the main rooms of nightclubs. While exploring his love for the purist forms of House Music, Mark developed his trademark style: Mushroom Jazz; acid jazz infused with the West Coast’s jazzy, organic productions combined with urban beats.

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Fans embraced Mark’s downtempo style so much that he started a weekly Mushroom Jazz club night in San Francisco with Patty Ryan. In 3 short years, the club established a fanatical, cult-like following for Farina and the Mushroom Jazz sound. When the doors closed, Farina continued the tradition by releasing a series of CDs on OM Records: simply titled, “Mushroom Jazz”. Since then, Mark has been traveling the globe performing 100s of shows, to over one million club goers, every year. His House sets take fans on journeys to the jazzy side of Chicago House mixed San Fran style. Some of these sets have been known to last up to 8 hours. And sometimes you’ll find Mark playing in two different rooms at the same party, showcasing his range of big room sound to the uber-chill. When Mark’s not touring, you can likely find him in his studio, working on his next release for his imprint, Great Lakes Audio, or on another signature mix for Mushroom Jazz. Mark’s chunky-funky underground house style continually turns the heads of tastemakers worldwide, drawing him not only new fans, but landing him on the Top DJs in the World lists by URB, MUZIK and BPM Magazines.

Hailing from the US, Chuck Love embeds & spreads his unique brand of high energy, Dance Music, around the globe; raising rooftops, smoldering subwoofers and packing dancefloors. Known for his signature “Live DJ/Video” set, Chuck pulls triple duty as the DJ, a Vocalist and a Multi-Instrumentalist. The result: a ridiculous mix with some slamming, ‘on-the-fly-produced’ tracks showcased within the set. In 2010, Chuck launched his label, LOVE NETWORK, and has teamed up with Colette for the first release – UR EVERYTHING (with Remixes by Santiago & Bushido). His productions range from downtempo to minimal electronica to head-bopping 4/4 house – all infused with his signature soulful, jazzy flavor influenced by his Minneapolis roots. You can find his releases on Love Network, OM, Great Lakes Audio, Shifted Music, Salted, Onethirty, Celebrity, Lingo, Large and Tango.

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James Patrick (DJ/Producer/Sound Designer/Composer/Curator/Teacher) is an artist who thrives on bringing together the creative energy and ideas of his surroundings. Through collaboration and experimentation in the fields of sound, lighting, video, and music, he creates immersive environments that explore the evolving definitions of “forward thinking media.” His record label and events are both heavily supported by some of the greatest names in electronic music, and his personal recordings continue to make waves in the international electronic music circuit. Through his professional involvement in both academic and popular electronic realms, James curated and developed the now internationally recognized University of Minnesota’s Spark Festival. James is also the recipient of many awards and accolades, including the American Composer’s Forum MECA award.

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Within education, James teaches and develops curricullum in the fields of sound design and technology music. Harnessing progressive concepts through the tools of new music and media, he cultivates the creative potential of tomorrow’s pioneers. James was also a pilot member of the Ableton Trainer Certification program. He participated in the first wave of trainer certifications and has been a critical force among the user base in the US. James currently teaches private lessons, clinics, and workshops on behalf of himself, The Institute of Production and Recording, and Ableton, inc. JP has 10+ years of professional experience directing events, and playing music alongside likewise innovators in the genre: Morton Subotnik, Alvin Lucier, Pole, Speedy J, Richard Devine, Bruno Pronsato, Akufen, Someone Else, Miskate, Ezekiel Honig, Sutekh, Drumcell, Acid Circus, Sammy Dee, Jay Haze, Rich Hawtin, Magda, Ben Nevile, Randy Jones, Jeff Milligan, Jake Fairley, Mike Shannon, Deadbeat/Crackhaus, Barem, Butane, etc.

We're DJs who also like to make tunes. We like to party. Booking us is a good idea, possibly the best one you've ever had.

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Turntablist Of The Year Nominee, Minnesota Music Awards 2005

I've been on the scene for over ten years and have a passion for solid, creative musical styles. I am never ordinary and always thinkin up ways to stand out. Check me out weekly at First Ave in downtown Mpls. Minnesota doesnt have its own identity. Theres no real flavor thats identifiable with Minnesota. As far as the rap crews, they need better beats. Everyone concentrates so much on the lyrics and making their album ultra introspective and lyrically rich and no one focuses on the beats. Hip-Hop is about rocking the party and making people dance... Once we can get that going on and we can start our own trends in music and fashion and stop ostracizing everyone who is different we will begin to start making some real moves as a city. [Pulse Magazine, 2004]

Jeff Hunter was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota and while in high school, Jeff heard his first 'techno' song. It was 'James Brown is Dead' by L.A. Style. This was to be the beginning of his transformation into what we call a 'techno-head'. The second catalyst of this transformation came about when Jeff journeyed to Duluth, Minnesota to attend college. While at college he had the opportunity to get a time slot on KUMD public radio. He hooked up with dj Diene and they became 'The Harmonic Sideshow'. This is where Jeff Hunter learned the sacred art of beat matching.

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The third and final key to Jeff's transformation happened in the summer of 1998. He and some friends went to Milwaukee for a party. When Jeff got there he realized that this wasn't just a party, it was a rave. Proceed 98', outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin in a recreation center was where Jeff's transformation into a techno-head became complete. Jeff has been back in the Twin Cities for quite a while now and he's been one of the driving forces behind the increasing popularity of breakbeat music in Minnesota and the surrounding states. His style is comprised mostly of various breakbeat sounds, including Funky, Acid, Progressive, and Nu-Skool Breaks.

Having launched his career from the trenches of the mid-90s rave scene, Aaron Litschke (aka "Little Aaron") became a veteran behind the decks at a young age. That experience has helped shape his unique style and deep track collection; blending classic tracks with new, unreleased beaters that heads will surely appreciate. His layered blend of techno, house and acid has kept feet moving across America: from Chicago to Portland, San Diego to Detroit. Behind the decks, his enthusiasm is infectious. Aaron mixes because it is in his blood, and you can feel this intensity in his sets, resulting in an unforgettable crowd experience.

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Aaron is not only a DJ, he is also a producer. In August 2011, Aaron and DJ Seoul put out their first EP, Countless, on Alien Force Digital. Countless was Aaron's debut release and his first step into what he hopes will become a successful career in production. When he’s not making beats or mixing them, he is one-half of Minneapolis promotional duo Loud+Clear – hosts of a successful monthly Saturday night at BLACK in Minneapolis's legendary First Avenue nightclub; bringing in heavy hitters from the worlds of techno and house like Paul Johnson, Drumcell, Mike Huckaby, Gene Farris, Pezzner and Skoozbot.

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DJ Econ aka Brian Noce was first introduced to electronic music in 1992. Influenced by his host brothers and sisters from all over the world. He has been djing for over a decade. Econ's style of music has varied over the years. Everything under the sun has been passed through the finger tips of this versatile DJ. From trance, breaks, hip hop, dnb, but currently its HOUSE. Depending on what mood you catch Econ at, that will decide the type of HOUSE that will be played. More recently being turned on to bigger bass lines and bigger breaks. Its great to see all the different styles that come together.

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Has shared the stage with many national and global Dj's such as Monk from Rabbit In the Moon, Baby Anne the bass Queen, Carlos Mendoza, Bad Boy Bill, Ak1200, DJ Esp aka Woody Mcbride, Tommie Sunshine, Terry Mullan, Keith Mackenzie, M.I.K.E. Push, Dj Rap, Splatinum, and Midwest Dj's J Matthews, Chrystal Mann, Hotdish, Sovereign Sect, Jordash, Guy Jean, AV just to name a few.

Econ broke into the Orlando scene in 1996. Enjoying the sounds that was coming out of the speakers. Clubs such as Firestone, Fluid, Cyberzone, The Edge, Club Impact and Sol Rays. Influenced by the unforgettable sounds that these legendary clubs were producing. Econ decided that he wanted to experience the thrill of controlling thousands of dancers at the same time. Practice and persistence paid off for this versatile Dj. Now residing in Fargo, ND. Econ is bringing his southern flair to the mean streets of the Midwest. There will and have been many parties to come to the Midwest from D E P (DJ Econ Productions).

Shuga Records started by accident. Now one of the largest online record stores in the world, it all began a decade ago when a car accident landed Chicago DJ Adam “Shuga Rose” Rosen on an operating-room table and, later, out of work. To pay the bills, he logged onto Ebay and reluctantly started selling off his library of more than 5,000 albums, earning enough to pay the rent – and then some. With his profits, he began rebuilding his collection, which, like his expertise of vintage and audiophile vinyl, grew quickly and exponentially. Now a six-employee family company run by Adam, Shuga Records has an inventory of nearly 400,000 highest-quality recordings, which are each approved by Adam himself, updated in real-time.

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Shuga stocks many of the bands that got Adam hooked on DJing as a teenager, from Underworld and Nine Inch Nails to the Future Sound of London. But its specialties have expanded to include the widest range of audiophile pressings from classical labels, 1960’s folk and psych, and rare first editions by some of rock’s biggest legends, as well as the kind of esoterica DJs crave, from spoken word records and private-label pressings to regional rarities, novelty albums, reissues, and new collector vinyl. While buyers from around the world are drawn to the store’s range of albums, the way Shuga does business – consistent, on-the-mark grading; prompt, secure shipping; and a commitment to music that shows – keeps them coming back: Shuga Records has a nearly perfect 99.9 percent approval rating on Ebay.

Tha Doc - What u know? Nothing?! If you haven't heard this BIG figure drop on the decks, you been in the wrong spot! Get wit it! Big Willy Style!

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Inspired by the sounds of Richie Hawtin and and Chris Liebing, Cesar Acosta is one of the fastest up and comers in the Minneapolis techno scene. In only a few short years he has shared the bill the likes of Tony Rohr (New York), Joey Beltram, Luis Flores, Woody McBride, Itzon (Mexico City), Dustin Zahn (Enemy Records), Timefog heads James Patrick and Mike Gervais and Steven Seuling aka Centrific head of Intellephunk and many more.

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Born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico, Cesar started showing interest in music at an early age starting with New age music when he was 8yo, attending to his first rave party at the age of 11, At the age of 21 Cesar migrated to Minneapolis MN in the United States. Home to some of the most infamous rave parties in the mid and late '90, DJ's and promoters such as Woody McBride, Zak khutoretsky aka DVS1 (Hush Productions), Cesar fell in love with his new hometown of Minneapolis. While going out to the local techno parties put on around town. As the opportunities to play at clubs throughout the city increased, Cesar teamed up with Yaleb Villalobos, Aldo DeLucio to form the "MEXIKAN TEKNO MAFIA" (MTM). Recently Cesar Acosta and Yaleb Villalobos delight people with their music and well taste on techno, making their Dj sets a magical experience that will take you trough a journey of climax and excitement.

Drum & Bass / Jungle

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For over 15 years Obliquity has been entertaining the underground electronic music from the east to west coast, from Canada to Mexico. Based in the Midwest, Jon Ostroushko aka Obliquity grew up in a heavily music influenced life. Having a hippee for a dad that helped out some of the greatest bands in the 60's who also went on to have the premier rock club of the late 60's early 70's, The Labor Temple in Minneapolis, helped form Jon's strong respect for music. At the early age of 8 he was turned on to the electronic music sounds through random music that his oldest brother would bring into the house and casually listen to. For Jon this was the music that made him move. Around the age of 13 he began to MC for friends and at small house parties and was eventually put on stage by Minneapolis' Nik Gunz where he played his first "real show" for 1200 people. Over the years he has found his groove but in an odd way. Not wanting to feel tied down he usually lends his vocal talents to House or UK Hardcore but often steps up to the mic for the sounds of DnB, Breaks or even Trance.

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In 2008, Obliquity opened up the stage as the hype man for a 20 massive tag team set that laid the tracks for an incredible performance by trance superstar ATB. During the early part of the 2000's he worked closely with notorious UK Garage/2 Step crew, The Steppers Alliance (see Time Magazine) to help usher in a sound that was new to the states. Over the years he has graced the stage with and/or opened for the hardcore likes of Scott Brown, Hixxy, Luna C, D-Lyte, No Left Turn, Milo, Spree, Squiggles, NATO, Twilight and more. Obliquity is currently working on some projects that will show off his true flexibility in vocal work while doing some solo recording as well as working with local and national talent.

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